Exercise and massaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise and massaging apparatus comprises a support structure, motive means coupled to the support structure for being operated by a person, and a massaging element driven by the motive means and engaging a body portion of the person. The belt is provided with massaging elements which rotate in substantially stationary position against the body of the person, whereby the rotation and massaging action obtained is a function of the effort expended by the person operating the motive means.

United States Patent [1 1 SImjian EXERCISE AND MASSAGING APPARATUS {76]Inventor: Luther G. Simjian, 7 Laurel Ln,

Greenwich, Conn. 06830 221 Filed: July 10,1974

211 Appl. No.: 487,050

[52] [1.5. C1 128/58; 128/63 [51] Int. Cl? A6111 11/00 [58] Field ofSearch 128/57 58, 63, 56, 24 R, 128/242 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 817,111 4/1906 Hale 128/56 UX 1,115,981 11/1914 Specht128/56 UX 1.140.891 5/1915 Everson r. 128/56 1 Aug. 12, 1975 Cooper r 1r 1 1 128/56 Simjian .4 128/63 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp [57]ABSTRACT An exercise and massaging apparatus comprises a sup portstructure, motive means coupled to the support structure for beingoperated by a person, and a massaging element driven by the motive meansand engaging a body portion of the person. The belt is provided withmassaging elements which rotate in substantially stationary positionagainst the body of the person. whereby the rotation and massagingaction obtained is a function of the effort expended by the personoperating the motive means.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU mi 21975 QULLI FIG. 9

EXERCISE AND MASSAGING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This inventionis related to exercise and massaging apparatus as previously disclosedby me in US Pat. No. 3,670,723 dated June 20, 1972 entitled, MassagingDevice Driven By Exercise Apparatus;" US. Pat. No. 3,727,608 dated Apr.17, 1973 entitled, Massaging Device Driven By Exercise Apparatus; US.Pat. No. 3,777,745 dated Dec. 11, 1973 entitled, Exercise And MassagingApparatus, and pending application Ser. No. 405,406 filed Oct. 11, 1973entitled, Exercise And Massaging Apparatus" now US. Pat. No. 3,861,382dated Jan. 21, 1975.

The above referenced patents and pending application disclose anexercise apparatus which is combined with a massaging means so that aperson operating the particular apparatus for the purpose of subjectinghimself to exercise receives simultaneously a massage. The intensity ofthe massaging action is directly related to the muscular effort expendedby the person during such exercise. The exercise apparatus, typically,comprises a bicycle or a rowingtype apparatus, and a massaging meanswhich, as shown previously, preferably includes resilient roller meansand/or a massaging belt.

The present invention discloses a very similar exercise and massagingapparatus in the form of a bicycle in combination with massaging meansrotating in substantially stationary position about fixed centers. Themechanical coupling between the exercise apparatus and the massaginginstrumentality is so constructed that responsive to the motive effortexpended by the user, the massaging elements are caused to undergorotation.

Specific features of the present invention will be more clearly apparentfrom the following description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, revealing certainconstructional features of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view along line 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 in FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is aperspective view of an additional feature which may be incorporated inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the massaging instrumentalityshown in FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a portion shown also in FIG. 2, butdepicting a slight modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the figures andFIG. I in particular and for the sake of simplicity identifying only themost important components, there is shown a support 10 which rests on afloor, not shown, by a set of feet 12. The support 10 supports inelevated position a handle bar 14 by means of a tube 16, and a seat 18elevated from the support 10 by means of a telescoping tube arrangement20. In addition, there is provided a set of foot pedals 22 of thebicycle type which are mounted upon a rotatable shaft 24 having asprocket gear 26 secured the r'eupon. Rotation of the shaft 24responsive to the operation of the foot pedals 22 is transmitted via asprocket chain 28 to a sprocket gear 30 affixed upon a shaft 32. Therotation of the shaft 32 is transmitted via a mechanism, which will bedescribed in connection with the other figures, to a belt B which isfitted with a plurality of massaging elements 34. The belt B is adaptedto be fastened around the waist of the user sitting on the seat 18 andcan be closed by Velcro fastening means or other suitable buckle meansfor adjustably closing the belt around the waist or torso of theparticular person. Responsive to the rotation of the pedal shaft 24 andshaft 32, the massaging elements 34 rotate to provide the massagingaction desired, which action, of course, is directly responsive to theexpenditure of muscle power, that is, operation of the pedals.

The detailed mechanisms for accomplishing the above massaging actionwill be more clearly evident from FIGS. 2 through 6. Referring now tothese figures, and FIGS. 2 and 4 in particular, the sprocket gear 26 ismounted upon the shaft 24 which is supported in the support 10 bysuitable bearing means, not shown. The shaft 24 carries also a furtherwheel 40 whose rim is engaged by a friction block 42 urged intoengagement with the wheel 40 by an adjustable screw means 44. Thepurpose of this friction arrangement is, of course, to provide anadjustment of the muscular effort required by the person operating theexercise apparatus. As seen in FIG. 2, the sprocket chain 28 transmitsthe motion imparted to shaft 24 and gear 26 to the gear 30 which isaffixed to the shaft 32. The shaft 32, as more clearly evident from FIG.5, is supported in a frame 46 which is a part of the support 10, FIG. 1.The ends of the shaft 32 are provided with a set of miter gears 48 whichmesh with a corresponding set of miter gears 50, the latter beingaffixed to respective vertical belt drive shafts 52. It will be observedthat the shafts 52 rotate about a respective vertical axis in responseto the operation of the pedal mechanism 22. The shafts 52 are enclosedin a suitable sleeve or tubing 54 provided with bearing means. Thepurpose of the vertical shafts is to transmit the rotation upward to themassaging belt B. As shown in FIG. 6, each shaft 52 is splined at 55 andsuch splined end meshes with a sleeve 56 which is welded to the upperportion 52' of the respective vertical shaft. The lower shafts 52 andupper shafts 52' are adapted to be telescoped into each other. Sleeves54 and 54' and a set screw 58 are used to retain the shafts in assembledrelation.

The upper end of each of the shafts S2 is fitted with a pulley 60, therotation of the respective pulleys 60 being, of course, responsive tothe operation of the pedal mechanism. The sleeve portion 54', as clearlyseen in FIG. 2, supports also a respective half of the massaging belt B.The belt comprises a set of links 62 which pivot for adjustment aboutspaced parallel cross shafts 64 to provide for the necessary adjustmentof the belt. The links provide journalling of the cross shafts.

As clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 each of the cross shafts has affixedthereto massaging elements 66 which, in the preferred embodiment, arerubber or plastic spherical elements bonded to the respective crossshafts by suitable bonding material, such as epoxy resin, etc. In apreferred embodiment the massaging elements are relatively firm in orderto minimize distortion in order to permit each massaging element to rollover the body surface with which it is in contact.

Each of the cross shafts is fitted furthermore with a pair of pulleys70, one pulley at each end, and all of the pulleys are interconnected byflexible endless belts 72 to provide rotation to all of the shafts fromthe respective pulleys 60 mounted to the vertical belt drive shaftcombination 52 and 52'. In order to maintain the belt stationary aroundthe body portion engaged by it, it is advantageous that adjacent shaftsrotate in opposite direction relative to each other and, therefore, theendless belts transmitting rotation to adjacent shafts are crossed asclearly seen in FIG. 3. Therefore, adjacent shafts and their massagingelements are rotating in opposite direction.

FIG. 9 discloses a slightly modified arrangement. The cross shafts 80are substantially identical with the shafts 64 in FIGS. 2 and 3,however, the massaging elements 66 are fastened to the cross shafts 80at the end of the shafts whereas the pulleys 70' and the links 62' arelocated toward the center of the respective shafts. The counterrotationof the adjacent sets of massaging elements is indicated by the circulararrows. It will be apparent that the construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2and FIG. 9, insofar as the belt is concerned, is a matter of choice orexpediency. As previously explained, both belt halves, each being drivenfrom its respective vertical shaft assembly, are fastened around thewaist or torso of the person using this exercise bicycle and thepressure with which the massaging elements engage the wearers body isadjustable by means of suitable belt fastening means as are well knownto those skilled in the art.

In order to maintain a massaging action against the back of the person,either independently or in combination with the arrangement shown inFIGS. 1 through 6, there can be provided a horizontally disposed shaft100, FIG. 7, or shaft 100', see FIG. 8. The shaft 100, FIG. 7, iscovered with a helically shaped massaging element 102, whereas the shaft100', FIG. 8, has affixed thereto a plurality of massaging elements 102'which may be similar in construction to the spherical elements 66 ofFIG. 2. The shaft 100 is retained in a fork 104 secured to the supporttubing In order to rotate the shaft 100 or the shaft 100', there isprovided a pulley 106 which receives rotation from the shaft 32 by meansof an additional pulley 110 secured to the shaft 32 and an endlessflexible belt 1 12. In this manner the motion of the shaft 32 istransmitted to the shaft 100, FIG. 7, or to the shaft 100' in FIG. 8 forproviding the additional massaging action.

It shall be noted that the seat 18 is adjustable in height along thetubing 20' by means of an adjusting mechanism 120 which is known.

In summary then, the present exercise apparatus provides the pluralityof massaging elements adapted to engage in substantially stationaryposition the waist, torso or some other part of the person using thepresent apparatus and these massaging elements undergo a rotating motionfor providing a massaging action in response to the physical effort ofthe person receiving such massaging action. It will be understood, ofcoure. that the exercise apparatus may be provided with various gearshift mechanisms in order to vary the physical effort required. Inaddition, timing means, speedometer and odometer means may be attachedas is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the effort ofthe person required for rotating the pedals may be aided by power means.

Finally, while the apparatus shown is in the form of a bicycle exercisedevice, it shall clearly be understood that rowing-type apparatus asshown in my previous patents, or other physical exercise apparatus maybe provided in conjunction with massaging elements of the presentconfiguration.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention and certain modifications thereof, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without deviating from the broadprinciple of the invention which shall be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise and massaging apparatus for use by a person comprising: asupport structure;

motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by the person;

a massaging belt for being worn by the person and said belt including aplurality of massaging elements mounted upon rotatable shafts supportedby said belt, and

means coupling said motive means to said shafts for causing saidmassaging elements to rotate in substantially stationary positionresponsive to the operation of said motive means.

2. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, saidshafts being aligned substantially parallel, each shaft mounting atleast one massaging element, and means coupled for causing neighboringshafts to be driven in opposing rotational direction.

3. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 2, saidmotive means when operated providing rotational motion.

4. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3, saidbelt comprising pivotally mounted links and said shafts being journalledin said links.

5. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3, saidelements being bonded to said respective shafts.

6. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, saidsupport structure supporting a handle bar and a seat to provide thegeneral configuration of a stationary bicycle, said motive meanscomprising a set of foot pedals, said massaging belt comprising twohalves, and said means coupling separately coupling the elements of eachhalf to said motive means.

7. An exercise and massaging apparatus for use by a person comprising:

a support structure in the shape of a bicycle including a seat for useby the person;

motive means coupled to said structure for being operated by the person;

massaging means disposed for engaging a body portion of the personoccupying said seat and operating said motive means, and

means coupling said motive means to said massaging means for causingsaid massaging means to undergo rotation in substantially stationaryposition responsive to the operation of said motive means.

8. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 7, saidmassaging means including at least one massaging element affixed to arotatable shaft, and said means coupling causing said shaft to undergorotation 9. An exercise and massaging apparatus for use by a person asset forth in claim 7, said massaging means being disposed behind saidseat for engaging the back of the person.

1. An exercise and massaging apparatus for use by a person comprising: asupport structure; motive means coupled to said structure for beingoperated by the person; a massaging belt for being worn by the personand said belt including a plurality of massaging elements mounted uponrotatable shafts supported by said belt, and means coupling said motivemeans to said shafts for causing said massaging elements to rotate insubstantially stationary position responsive to the operation of saidmotive means.
 2. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, said shafts being aligned substantially parallel, each shaftmounting at least one massaging element, and means coupled for causingneighboring shafts to be driven in opposing rotational direction.
 3. Anexercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said motivemeans when operated providing rotational motion.
 4. An exercise andmassaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said belt comprisingpivotally mounted links and said shafts being journalled in said links.5. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3, saidelements being bonded to said respective shafts.
 6. An exercise andmassaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said support structuresupporting a handle bar and a seat to provide the general configurationof a stationary bicycle, said motive means comprising a set of footpedals, said massaging belt comprising two halves, and said meanscoupling separately coupling the elements of each half to said motivemeans.
 7. An exercise and massaging apparatus for use by a personcomprising: a support structure in the shape of a bicycle including aseat for use by the person; motive means coupled to said structure forbeing operated by the person; massaging means disposed for engaging abody portion of the person occupying said seat and operating said motivemeans, and means coupling said motive means to said massaging means forcausing said massaging means to undergo rotation in substantiallystationary position responsive to the operation of said motive means. 8.An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 7, saidmassaging means including at least one massaging element affixed to arotatable shaft, and said means coupling causing said shaft to undergorotation
 9. An exercise and massaging apparatus for use by a person asset forth in claim 7, said massaging means being disposed behind saidseat for engaging the back of the person.